GINEBRA, RAIN OR SHINE FACE OFF FOR EARLY LEADPublished on October 6, 2012

With the early solo league leadership at stake, Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra face off in the main tiff Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It could be a battle with both going for a follow-up to their stirring season debut.

The Kings walloped the Globalport Batang Pier, 110-90, on opening day while the Elasto Painters clobbered the Petron Blaze Boosters, 102-86, three nights later.

“It would be interesting to see how we fare against one of the top teams in the league. It would be a good test for us,” said Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen.

“Ginebra is a new team. They have a good combination of young guns and veterans. The challenge for us is to keep up with them in the open court,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao. “They have new plays in an improved system and it works for them. We have to disrupt their rhythm with our defense and prevent the young guys from getting their confidence early."

Among those teams fancied to make a good run in the season, the Elasto Painters and the Kings made a show of force right in their season debut.

Jones Cup heroes Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood delivered in their Rain or Shine comeback and the whole team simply played tough, giving Petron top draft pick Junmar Fajardo a rude welcome in the pro league.

Ginebra was more dominant against Globalport.

Twice third-placer last season, the Kings made good use of their advantage on bench depth, experience and chemistry as they stamped their class on the Batang Pier.

With a well-balanced game, Ginebra dominated Global Port, leading by as many as 24 before completing the rousing victory to mark their first game with trade recruit LA Tenorio and rookie acquisitions Keith Jensen and Chris Ellis.

Tenorio, Jensen and Ellis all had sterling moments, helping Ginebra to a victorious season debut – the team’s first in the last three years.

“It feels good to start on the right foot. It feels good to win despite the opening-day distractions,” said Tanquingcen.

The Kings dished out 32 assists – the best by the franchise in a game in four years – with 10 coming from Tenorio who also grabbed nine rebounds and canned in one field goal basket.

Tanquingcen also mentioned the intangibles delivered by Tenorio, saying the brilliant plays dished out by the 5-foot-8 guard made things easier for his teammates.

But Rain or Shine could well offer Ginebra a tougher test.

The Elasto Painters started their 2012-13 season in style even minus the injured Paul Lee and despite the early ouster of Beau Belga and Chris Tiu on a technical infraction and an injured hamstring, respectively.

Tiu, Rain or Shine's lone new player for the new PBA season, suffered a hamstring injury early in the game Wednesday and may be out for the next six weeks.

No doubt, the Elasto Painters have gained much confidence from their Governors Cup championship, and it showed in their unwavering performance against Petron.

“There’s the poise and confidence gained by our players from our championship. They’re playing together,” said Guiao. (SB)

Source: pba.ph

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